Politics

Rocky Hill - Citing his social justice advocacy and service in the General Assembly, members of the 29,000-strong AFT Connecticut are supporting State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield’s candidacy for the State Senate. The labor federation’s Executive Committee voted in favor of a formal endorsement and last week informed active and retired members of affiliated local unions residing in the 10th Senate District. Holder-Winfield is seeking to succeed New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, who vacated the senate seat last month, in a February 25 Special Election.

Rocky Hill - Citing their collective commitment to local working families, members of the 29,000-strong AFT Connecticut have endorsed challengers and incumbents for New London's city council and board of education. The labor federation's Executive Committee voted on a slate of endorsed municipal candidates for the November 5 General Election, and last week informed active and retired members of its affiliated unions in the region.

Rocky Hill - Citing his community ties and service as a public safety professional, members of the 29,000-strong AFT Connecticut have endorsed Harry Rilling in his campaign for mayor of Norwalk. The labor federation's Executive Committee voted to add Rilling to its slate of endorsed municipal candidates for the November 5 General Election, and last week informed active and retired members of its affiliated local unions.

Waterford - Home health aides are welcoming efforts by their U.S. senators to uphold a scheduled union election threatened with delay by their employer, the Visiting Nurses Association of Southeastern Connecticut (VNASC). Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy on Tuesday sent a letter to VNASC's president and chief executive officer requesting she join the workers in allowing the vote to proceed tomorrow. At issue are routine notice requirements the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has permitted be waived in light of the recent federal government shutdown forced by U.S. House Republicans.

Willimantic - Teachers are welcoming pledges of support from Windham's legislative delegation to address growing concerns over the State Department of Education (SDE)-directed "turn-around" of their local public schools. State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-29) and State Representative Susan Johnson (D-49) last Wednesday attended a forum on the issues organized by the union representing the district's teachers. There they pledged to continue collaboration with local stakeholders and to raise their concerns with the commissioner of SDE and the "Special Master" assigned by the department to Windham's schools.

Rocky Hill - Citing his community ties and service as a public school teacher, members of the 28,000-strong AFT Connecticut have endorsed John "Jack" Stacey as the Democratic Party's nominee for mayor of East Haven. The labor federation's Executive Committee voted to add Stacey to its slate of endorsed municipal candidates for the September 10 Primary Election, and this week informed active and retired members of its affiliated local unions.

A close examination of two medium-sized school districts' standardized testing calendars found that kids are losing out on receiving a full, high-quality education because of pervasive test preparation and testing, according to an AFT report released July 23.

In her keynote address to the 2013 AFT TEACH Conference, AFT president Randi Weingarten laid a bold marker in the "education wars" that have resulted in frustration and fatigue over competing theories of reform. These competing reforms have made a lot of noise but not the progress communities want to provide all children with the education they need and deserve.

The U.S. Senate's long-overdue confirmation of Thomas Perez as the next secretary of labor on July 18 will give hardworking American families a strong and dedicated advocate in the U.S. Department of Labor, AFT president Randi Weingarten says.

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) that effectively barred same-sex married couples from being recognized as "spouses" for purposes of federal law. The State of Connecticut has announced a special open enrollment period for state employees and retirees who wish to add a same-sex spouse to the State’s health plan.

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